Alcohol and pregnancy: highlights from three decades of research

The detrimental effects of alcohol on offspring have been alluded to for centuries, although only in the past few decades has the relationship between alcohol and birth defects been shown conclusively. This review article begins with a historical overview of the understanding of alcohol's effects on the offspring, followed by a description of the first clinical reports of fetal alcohol syndrome. The contribution of animal models is highlighted and some possible mechanisms of alcohol's teratogenicity are discussed. Challenges and opportunities for future research are offered.